Bridging the Gap Between Plastic and Glass

Q: What are the main areas of opportunity Danpal spotted within the Mexican market and what is the company’s added value?
A: Since polycarbonate started to be fabricated in Mexico, price was prioritized over quality so competition was between low-quality plastics and glass. Glass can be inconvenient as it can break and does not isolate heat or luminosity. We saw an opportunity to enter the market with an intermediate option, a high-quality product that has weight, lighting and thermal advantages. Our key niches are in skylights, facades and interior design. Our systems work based on light transmission and heat transfer, keeping luminosity high and heat controlled.
The average lifespan of our product is 25 years. Danpalon comes with a 10-year warranty and a decade after installation it will continue to look and work as new. As part of our added value, we also participate in the whole project cycle. We do not sell materials; we sell a complete solution. We work with the architects and the structural engineers from the conceptualization stage of the project. We provide the material and its installation, allowing us to guarantee the best performance of our systems. All our translucent thermal systems provide unparalleled light diffusion. In addition, they offer excellent temperature control.
Q: How do you convince potential clients of the advantages of products like 3DLITE?
A: Danpal 3DLITE has a set of blinds installed to automatically regulate light across different times of the day. The light transmission varies between 7-35 percent as it is a very dynamic solution. For example, when used in facades, the light and colors change as someone passes by. Our main challenge is to convince the architect that we offer a different and innovative product that will work, look good and be safe. Our projects are the best way to show this as they are the proof of our quality.
Q: How is the Danpalon system improving construction times and which types of projects can benefit the most from this system?
A: It was very challenging to gain market share as plastics and polycarbonate have a bad reputation among architects in Mexico. We had to break all those paradigms and prove that Danpal systems could break new ground on quality and durability. The placement of our systems can cut installation times by half compared to working with glass. Also, glass can break, endangering workers, while Danpal systems are unbreakable.
Our products are very popular for translucent roofs in commercial and hospitality developments. Danpal systems are aimed at a market that appreciates high quality products and durability. Regarding facades, Danpalon is used for walls, especially to build light boxes to prioritize the luminosity of spaces. Our facades can withstand wind speeds of up to 350km/h. Our materials have been tested against earthquakes and their flexibility makes them an ideal option for buildings in Mexico City. We build strong translucent walls that are also insulated to regulate extreme temperatures.
Danpal systems also add LEED points to buildings in which they are installed. Our production plant is certified to ISO-14000 as it produces low carbon emissions. The heat regulation and increased luminosity that our products offer help reduce electricity consumption as thermal insulation decreases the use of air conditioning. Also, durability implies that our plastics do not need to be replaced in a short period of time but only after more than two decades. Our products include 2-3 percent of recycled resin and can be reused.